Sports Takes and Predictions

Falcons and Bears Take Control in NFL Week 12

The Sunday portion of NFL week 12 has been thrilling. Through the first 11 games of the day (with Chargers-Colts being played), eight games have ended with a score differential of a touchdown or less. Five of the six early games are included in that total. This is what the NFL is all about. I guess it makes up for a rather ho-hum Thanksgiving slate.

With the Sunday and Monday night games still to be played, here are the Average Guy NFL Week 12 Awards:

Most Impressive Performance in a Loss

Quick Takes

The local FOX affiliate had to show the Panthers-Browns game so there was no watching the Packers-Falcons matchup. So instead I tuned in for the whole Jaguars-Giants game and it was a good one.

Jacksonville had complete control in the first half. David Garrard excelled and the Jaguars O-line opened up hole after hole for the backs while the New York defense seemed to have missed their wake up call. Jacksonville piled up 145 yards on the ground through the first two quarters.

The second half was a different story. The Giants defense caught a lucky break early with the Terrell Thomas interception and showed a much greater sense of urgency. They blitzed quite a bit and it was particularly successful in the last few minutes of the game as they repeatedly hit Garrard.

One Jacksonville player I was really impressed with who doesn’t get much PT was the running back Rashad Jennings. He has the patience to let the blocking develop and then explode. That is a skill that is not often seen at that level in such a young ball carrier.

The absolute key to the Giants win? Zero turnovers.

Of course I’m very excited that the Rams beat the Broncos in Denver, but boy it was nerve racking. I was following the game online as the Rams let the Broncos get closer and closer and closer. I was sure they were going to fold like they did in San Francisco. Then FOX switched to live coverage after the Eagles-Bears game was over. I was thrilled to see the defense finally get the stop they needed. Now the Rams are back in first place in the NFC West.

Miami really stopped Oakland’s running game. If you take away Jacoby Ford’s 13-yard run the Dolphins held the Raiders to just three yards on 11 carries…hard to believe.

I predicted the Chiefs would fall in Seattle. I was clearly wrong. What a game for Matt Cassel, Jamaal Charles and Dwayne Bowe.

One BIG Question

Which game is bigger next week – Steelers at Ravens on Sunday night or Jets at Patriots on Monday night? Let me know which one you are looking forward to more.